Background and aims: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases around the world and this problem is the result of variety of different bacteria. Streptococcus mutants is one of the most important bacteria which is related to this disease. Finding new effective antibacterial agents is an important area in bioscience for fighting and controlling bacterial infections. Essential oils are most important natural sources of antibacterial agents, particularly against drug-resistant bacteria. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of three essential oils Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita and Foeniculum vulgare Mill against Streptococcus mutants. Disk diffusion method was carried out and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured. Results: The results showed that all three essential oils have antibacterial activity against S. mutants. With a constant concentration of 100 µg/µl, the efficiency of Mentha piperita and then Foeniculum vulgare Mill was higher than the efficiency of Mentha arvensis at all 3 given time points (24, 48 and 72 hours). The most effective MIC and MBC were related to Streptococcus mutants using Foeniculum vulgare essential oil which were equal to 8.4 and 14.9 µg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC for Mentha piperita essential oil were measured 10.5 and 16.3 µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The Essential oils used in present study with different components showed antibacterial activity and therefore they can be used as new antibacterial substances.

Background and aims: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with diseases. The use of supplements, herbal extracts, and exercise training for the treatment of diseases and metabolic disorders has increased among people. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 10-week aerobic training with and without ginger supplementation on aerobic power, BFP, and insulin resistance in obese middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this study, 46 obese diabetic women (BMI > 30, blood fasting sugar more than 150-250 mg/dL, 45-60 years old) were selected and randomly assigned into four groups, ginger (n=12), aerobic exercise training + ginger (n=12), aerobic exercise training (n=12) and control (n=10). Participants in supplementary groups received four 250 mg capsules ginger extract 1000 mg daily for 10 weeks. Aerobic training program included 10 weeks of training, 3 sessions per week and each session was 60 minutes at 55% maximum heart rate during the first week and gradually increased with the progress of the training program to 75 percent of maximum heart rate. Results: After 10 weeks, significant difference was observed in weight, BMI, body composition, VO2max, Insulin, fasting glucose and insulin resistance (P<0.05). In the within group changes was observed significant decrease in insulin levels and insulin resistance was in the aerobic exercise training + ginger group (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to obtained results, it appears that aerobic training plus ginger extract consumption have better effect on insulin levels and insulin resistance in obese middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes.

Background and aims: Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM) is a thyme-like plant reported to have immunomodulatory properties. This study was aimed to examine effects of ZM essential oil on performance, biochemical and immunological parameters in broilers. Methods: Two hundred and forty, broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups. CON considered as control group received basal diet, T100, T200 and T400 treated by basal diet supplemented with ZM 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg feed, respectively. Body weight and feed intake were recorded at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. At the end of experiment, eight broilers per group were slaughtered and carcass portion yield was calculated. Humoral immune response efficacy by injection of 5% sheep red blood cell into the pectoral muscle of birds was evaluated. Results: This study showed that supplementation of ZM promoted the weight gain in T200 as compared to other groups (P<0.05). Also, the best food conversion ratio was achieved in the same group. On the other hand, ZM supplementation in all of the doses used, did not cause significant increase in carcass portion yield (P<0.05), except for liver weight, which was significantly increased in T400. Serum biochemical analysis showed that levels of total protein, albumin and globulin were highest in T200 while the lowest were in T400; addition of ZM especially at the dose of 200 mg/kg improved immune responses in broilers (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of present study, supplementing broilers diet with ZM could have favorable impact on performance and immunity.